I am an avid people watcher. A big part of the joy of being in town and city centres is that there are just so many people to watch. I suppose in my line of work people watching is pretty important. At HemingwayDesign we subscribe to the idea that, “design is about improving things that matter in life” and you can only understand what matters in life, to a wide range of people with differing taste, by observing. So as I pass through streets I have never been one to wear headphones and get “lost in music”. I rarely use my journeys through town centres as time to catch up with folk on my mobile and daydreaming when there is all that human stuff going on, it’s never an option. So as I walk to a meetings my eyes are normally scanning horizontally “clocking” how folk are dressed, taking in hair and makeup styles, checking out the bikes people are riding and how they are riding them, looking at shopping habits through glass shop fronts, looking at the food they have chosen, are they out with friends, work colleagues, family, or on their own? What phones are they using?
In some places architecture creates a distraction that alters my line of vision. Glasgow’s Merchant City is one such place. I defy anyone with the slightest interest in what man can achieve through the built environment, not to be in awe of the place where we are holding The Vintage Festival in a few weeks. Glasgow became known as the second city of The British Empire for trade and also for entertainment and this has left a wonderful architectural legacy. Candleriggs, the area where Vintage is focused houses has the City Halls. Charles Dickens, and Oscar Wilde was amongst the famous names to appear there. We can offer some great live bands and DJ’s, you will meet some great characters hosting workshops, even in the Vintage Hair and Beauty Salon, but maybe not anyone as famous as these two!
So whilst your dancing, shopping, watching films and fashion shows, eating, drinking and looking at all that human and vehicular eye candy at Vintage this July, look up and take in those magnificent buildings that have been bequeathed to us. The Old Fruitmarket where our dance events including The Torch Club, The Soul Casino and Let it Rock are taking place is the most amazing venue we have ever held a Vintage event.
Here are some pictures to wet your appetite.
Make sure you have a wander and take in the myriad of architectural masterpieces that pepper the Merchant City, from the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall to the grand George Square and my favorite historic building in Glasgow, the City Chambers. Make sure you go inside and then just look upwards!
[The City Chambers has free tours Monday – Friday every week. The People’s Palace on Glasgow Green, the new Riverside and Kelvingrove Museums, are all free and child friendly.]